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When Saturday Comes No 390 September 2019

Fans make their way into the stadium before the semi-final between Holland and Sweden in Lyon

REGULARS 5 Editorial Even while gambling companies are making noises about acting more responsibly, they are coming up with more insidious ways of embedding themselves in football culture – to the harm of everyone except themselves 6 Sidelines Newcastle fans prepare for life after Rafa

Benítez; going underground with the London Tube’s very own league and cup competition; how much-loved Diego became the vilified Maradona; once again non-League is used to experiment; Berwick Rangers take the drop 12 Shot! From Valenciennes to Lyon, France 2019

generated more attention from supporters and the media than any Women’s World Cup that went before it

It was like there were two tournaments: one with Egypt and one without. Stadiums echoed to the sound of lonely vuvuzelas Africa Cup of Nations p30

20 Focus on Jan Age Fjortoft, the Norwegian forward who picked up speed after a slow start at Swindon and made his aeroplane celebration an enduring image for fans 23 Harry Pearson column “Lump it to the big man” might be the accepted wisdom of certain managers but not all towering forwards have the skills to pull off the long-ball tactic 35 Letters The variety of shirts you see while on holiday is incredible...

38 Season in brief Manchester City’s scintilating second half to the season earns them a first title, while Charlton enjoy their best-ever campaign

FEATURES 16 Attentive qualities Progressive politics and sensational stories lit up a World Cup of mixed play; ingrained US confidence proves justified but gap closes; England’s mental strength let down by questionable tactics and style 24 Hand to mouth With more eyes than ever watching out for minute detail in games, players and coaches are having to get creative when chatting – or risk a full-blown scandal

PETER ROBINSON

The bright orange Dutch fans not only dominated and almost filled the stadiums, but were in loud and perfect harmony with their peppy brass band France 2019 p16